Servant Leadership for Higher Education by Daniel W. Wheeler & Kent M. Keith

Author:Daniel W. Wheeler & Kent M. Keith [Wheeler, Daniel W. & Keith, Kent M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2015-06-16T00:00:00+00:00

Some Insights into Emotional Healing

Even though you may see this as an extreme example, what are the lessons in terms of a chair as an emotional healer? It takes courage to intervene but that’s what is required if one wants to make a difference. Transparency is paramount—no hidden agendas and intolerance for others having hidden agendas. The chair provided closure for many of the perceived injustices; in this case some of them had to be addressed in the legal system and through the university’s formal procedures. The chair understood that everything may not go the way he wanted but at least situations would be addressed and not remain to fester and affect others. The chair demonstrated that he didn’t have ill will toward anyone but that the departmental expectations would be met. He was willing to do whatever was necessary to facilitate members in addressing their issues but if they declined to be engaged in the change process, he was going to hold them responsible. Note the chair made sure that people understood whose problem it was and what the options were. More commonly if there are people who are seen as real problems, they are just discounted and isolated in the department. One of the principles of servant leadership is that the means are as important as the ends. In this case, the chair made sure that he handled these difficult situations in a straightforward manner and did not abuse people. He protected the integrity of the institution and also provided due process for all individuals. In too many cases, in order to protect the institution, administrators find ways to circumvent transparency to achieve their goal. This chair didn’t use any means possible to remove the faculty members in question. One of the reasons this is particularly important is that if the chair is willing to use any means, then trust and confidence are undermined not only of those directly affected but also other colleagues observing what is happening.

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